Along with the change that will now usher our world from hot-hot to cold, this fall also must see a change in my physical body if I am to continue functioning. I have certain things I must do differently, or I will not be doing at all. There are many more than I will mention here, but physically, three basics must take place in my life.
First, I am going to start a body cleanse. That's something I used to do regularly, but over the years I abandoned it except for extreme times. For four days I will live on juice, bouillabaisse and water. The suggestion is water only, but my hypoglycemia won't do that, so I will drink juice three times a day for strength and sugar control with water in between, and once a day I will have bouillabaisse for a minimal protein level, which my condition requires. Days 5 - 10 I will add one meal of veggies and one meal of fruits to this equation. After the 10 days, I will include one small serving of meat or other protein. My regular supplements will be included the whole time. Though the plan says to abandon them for the 15 days, I don't think that is wise. It may slow the process some, but I believe it would have repercussions. My belief is that neglecting the basic supplements I take for my joints and blood chemistry was part of my 'fail'. Even after the 15 days, I must change the way I eat and think about food. And I must observe a day of cleansing each week.
Second, I must structure time for relaxation and fun. I realized the other day that the only time I structure enjoyment and rest is when others are here. Last spring, I had my grandchildren here for a few days and I structured fun time into each day along with the work I needed to get done. It is a possible scenario. My life seems to revolve around work. I have some long range goals that will never have a chance if I don't change this and the work will never be done enough to leave my time free. My studio is very important to me. But if every opportunity is squashed because I need to teach or prepare, I will lose my abilities without ever knowing it. No, I'm not likely to lose perspective on this one. I actually love what I do, but I see that I am making it a limitation that can rob me of my joy and physical accomplishment. However, I will not be taking applications to have others restructure my time and life.
Third, I must find a way to do what exercise I can on a regular basis. The idea that I am working therefore I am exercising is not productive in the arena of degenerative arthritis. The doctor gave me a list of exercises. Most of these are doable. The stationary bike time may not happen, but I will try to find a pool to walk and swim in through the winter months. I want to dance in the moonlight on New Years Eve. Right now I couldn't dance on a padded spring floor.
There are spiritual, social and emotional changes that are just as important as these -perhaps more. But I am realizing that change must be embraced, planned and executed or it will not produce the effect I desire. I also am accepting that this change is personal. I cannot depend on anyone else to bring the needed changes into my life. God must be the author and power for discipline as well as revival, yes. But without faith there will be no effort and without effort, there will be no change.
In all these things, I can be a conquering warrior or I can be a sniffling recipient of the ills of life. I choose to give it my best effort. Will it turn out like I plan? Who knows. Probably not. Life is what happens while we are making other plans. Yet without orchestrated change, I will only have what I have now - deterioration, limitation, and frustration.
I came, I read, I hope you enjoy the cool weather and a bit of inner peace.
ReplyDeleteAn ambitious plan ... I hope you get the desired results from it ...
ReplyDeleteMe too. The cleanse is the starter. I will begin in the morning and go through Sunday on a liquid 'fasting' schedule and then start the raw veggies and fruit thing next Monday. Allocating time for productive exercise will also be hard for me. If I can get the pool running without losing too much heat, it will be easier. Scheduling 'fun' will be the hardest for me.
ReplyDeleteIt's been much cooler here for the last two days, we seemed to catch the knock-on effects of "Irene" with a blustery few days coming in from the west. Our summer has obviously been much cooler than yours and so, although there are elements of winter that I enjoy (I know... I'm weird like that), I am quite sorry to see the warm weather disappear without so much as a goodbye.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine recently suffered sever gastric pain and was briefly admitted to hospital. Part of his initial treatment was, to put it delicately, a chemical inducement for his body to purge itself. He claims he's never felt better and he certainly seems full of energy. I admire you for having the willpower to follow a more natural route to the same end. I'm not sure I could manage it, especially in a world were cheesecake and banana pudding are on offer.
It's around this time of year, as the air pressure changes, that my body tends to remind me of the punishment I put it through in years gone by. 35 years of competitive soccer leaves you with lower limbs that age in "dog years". Glucosomine Sulphate, warmth, and knowing when to quit is about all I can do and thankfully, it's pretty effective. The most important part is the last of the three. It's funny how we tend to ignore what our body tries to tell us, even when it's screaming at us.
I hope the detox comes easy and the pain relief swiftly :)
Funny thing is the detox is prescribed for the joint pain. I do not intend to ignore cheesecake or banana pudding more than is reasonable for my health! LOL. Yes when the body screams, I will have to take note from here out.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you've considered it before but I have found that following the dietary advice for gout can significantly help with my joints. It help cuts down the levels of Uric acid apparently. As I recall, peas, spinach and chocolate are 3 of the big "no no's", but specifics are easily googled. I try to be good with occasional lapses and find that works out ok generally.
ReplyDeleteYeah, this instruction reads that way. Though after the cleanse -which should clear my joints of toxin- the instructions are firm but reasonable. More of a 'find yourself' than a submit.
ReplyDeleteI guess that's ok as long as one doesn't find oneself in the cake shop every day LOL
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